Germany summoned the Chinese ambassador to the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday after saying China’s military had laser targeted a German aircraft taking part in an EU operation in the Red Sea.

The German foreign ministry has called to meet with the Chinese ambassador in Berlin after a Chinese warship allegedly targeted a German plane with a laser during an EU operation in the Red Sea.

China disputed Germany’s accusation that one if its warships behaved dangerously toward a plane in the Red Sea, further complicating Beijing’s ties with Europe.

The European Union is still hoping for a rough outline of a deal, even after President Trump talked about sending the bloc a letter outlining tariffs that would be imposed Aug. 1.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is optimistic that the European Union can agree a trade deal with the United States by the end of this month at the latest, he told lawmakers on Wednesday.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday expressed confidence that an agreement will soon be reached in the US-EU tariff dispute, days after US President Donald Trump extended his deadline for a deal to be achieved to August 1.